Author name: oisinkelly

95% of hotel business in Donegal for the next three weeks has been wiped out. That’s according to the Irish Hotels Federation following a recent industry survey which revealed a dramatic collapse in new hotel bookings over the past fortnight as the impact of the Government’s additional Covid-19 restrictions continue to be felt across the

The European Commission president says it’s time to ‘intensify’ Brexit talks. Ursula von der Leyen has warned time is running out to reach a free trade agreement, with the transition period finishing at the end of the year. She has a video conference with The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tomorrow. But she’s been sounding

Mairead McGuinness has given a commitment to look at making it easier for people to get mortgages from other EU states. She’s facing questions at the European Parliament to assess her suitability for the role of EU Commissioner for Financial Services. Irish MEP Frances Fitzgerald noted that mortgage rates in Ireland are on average more

A West Tyrone MLA has said the hospitality sector in particular has suffered from the restrictions of Covid-19 and with the announcement of further restriction measures in Derry and Strabane. MLA Daniel McCrossan believes financial intervention is needed from the government for businesses that are adhering to the guidelines in the North:

The Garda watchdog has received 228 complaints linked to Covid-19, or policing of the restrictions. Almost 40 per cent are in relation to roads policing, according to Freedom of Information figures. 20 relate to Dublin North, 16 to Donegal and nine to Sligo/Leitrim. Jim Mulligan, the president of the Garda Representative Association, says the GSOC

Visits to homes will be restricted to six people from two households nationally to stop the spread of Covid-19. The National Public Health Emergency team has made the recommendation which has been accepted by Government, as well as keeping each county on its current Level in the restrictions. It comes after four more people with

The North’s First Minister says restrictions placed on Derry and Strabane is by no means a lockdown. The area has witnessed a significant spike in Covid-19 cases in the past couple of weeks with the incidence rate per 100,000, one of the highest in the UK, at 322.6. The Executive confirmed last evening that new

Derry and Strabane has been placed under new restrictions. The North’s First Minister Arlene Foster confirmed the move this evening following a spike in cases in the area. No indoor gatherings are permitted with exceptions for weddings and funerals. Hospitality businesses will only be allowed to operate a takeaway, delivery service or outdoor dining. Outdoor

People in counties with Level 3 restrictions or higher will not be allowed to visit nursing homes, unless on compassionate or critical grounds. It’s part of new advice from the HPSC, which will allow residents to leave the premises for a social drive if the county is in Level 1. Outdoor and window visiting will

A Donegal Senator is calling on Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to respond to a petition calling for the removal of restrictions which pregnant women say are denying them vital support. In particular, the petition says fathers or partners should have the right to be present with a woman at her ante natal scans and appointments,

It’s hoped a 34 unit Social Housing project in Castlefinn will be completed by the end of 2022. The Habinteg Housing Association has been given the go ahead to move to stage two of the project, which will allow it access funding and proceed to planning. The site was purchased by the association in 2016,

The European Commission has launched legal proceedings against the UK over its plans to breach the withdrawal agreement. British MPs voted in favour of the internal markets bill which breaks international law and now has been passed onto the House of Lords for approval. The legislation proposes free trade across the UK – however it

  Fishing representative bodies are set to go back to court after a Sinn Fein attempt to overturn a statutory instrument introducing penalty points was defeated in the Dail last night. The motion, introduced by Donegal Deputy Padraig MacLochlainn, was defeated by 78 votes to 61. Agriculture and Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue, who previously supported

There are fears the temporary closure of Bank of Ireland in Bunbeg, Gweedore will become permanent. The bank announced the closure of the branch along with branches in Bundoran and Glenties this week, to facilitate what they say is the redeployment of statt to ensure continuity of services at its Letterkenny branch amid a number

New restrictions are likely to be introduced in Northern Ireland today, after a big spike in Covid-19 cases. A record 424 cases were detected yesterday, and nearly 2,000 in the past week. The Stormont executive’s meeting today to discuss new restrictions – after Health Minister Robin Swann said they are needed. Anne Speed, the lead

Senator Elisha McCallion has sought clarity on the Irish Government’s commitment to delivery on a number of projects set out in the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ Agreement. Senator McCallion told the Seanad this week that there cannot be another false dawn for the people of the North West. She pressed the Government to state its

A senior member of the National Public Health Emergency Team says we must make a long term commitment to social distancing. Hospital numbers had reached 130 yesterday evening, seven of them in Letterkenny University Hospital. That’s up from two earlier in the week, with none of them in intensive care. Chair of NPHET’s Covid modelling

The Education Minister has apologised for a mistake in the Leaving Cert system that will impact the grades of 6,500 students. A mistake in one line of code in predictive grades meant 7,200 lower grades were given, while a small number of students were given higher grades. They will not be downgraded – while texts